The goal of Canada’s Road Safety Week, which runs May 14-21, is for all drivers to self evaluate their behavior while on the road. Many collisions could have been avoided had a driver not chosen to speed, or drink and drive, according to police-reported data maintained by Manitoba Public Insurance.
Between 2000 and 2010, 41 per cent of all fatal crashes in Manitoba were either alcohol or speed-related, according to police-reported data maintained by Manitoba Public Insurance.
During Road Safety Week in Manitoba, the Winnipeg Police Service, RCMP and Brandon Police Service, will be conducting beefed-up traffic enforcements throughout the province. Manitoba Public Insurance is once again funding the RoadWatch program, which provides funding for police to conduct additional impaired driving roadside checks throughout the summer. Motorists can expect to see checkstops beginning May long weekend.
“Any time someone decides to drink and drive, speed or just fail to signal, they potentially threaten the lives of others,” said Ted Hlynsky, Manitoba Public Insurance vice-president of Claims Control and Safety Operations.
“Every year at this time, Manitoba Public Insurance join forces with law enforcement to raise awareness of this important truth. The timing of Road Safety Week has been strategically chosen, as it takes us into the first summer long weekend.”
In addition to police road-side checks, another awareness activity to be launched during Road Safety Week is SpeedWatch, an annual program carried out in partnership with community volunteers. Armed with large speed reader boards, concerned citizens will once again take to Manitoba streets and roadways to make neighbours aware of how fast they are driving.
“More people are traveling and traffic crashes are more frequent,” said Hlynsky. “Drivers can arrive at their destinations safely by making some minor driving adjustments.”
A week-long, school zone SpeedWatch will be taking place at Winnipeg’s Clifton School. Manitoba’s 24, community-based SpeedWatch groups will also be active throughout the province during Manitoba Road Safety Week.
These groups are located in Brandon, East St. Paul, Oakbank, The Pas, Thompson, Grunthal, Dauphin, Gimli, North Whiteshell, Portage la Prairie, St. Andrews, Russell, St Clements, St. Pierre Jolys, Waskada, West St Paul, Winkler and Winnipeg. A rural SpeedWatch program will also be active in Niverville at Niverville Elementary School.
Manitoba Road Safety Week is declared every year in support of Canada Road Safety Week, which is sponsored by Transport Canada and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. The week is part of Road Safety Strategy 2015, a country-wide strategy which aspires to make Canada’s roads the safest in the world .
For more information about Canada’s road Safety Week, visit ccmta.ca.
